Eastside Month of Concern Brings in 90,000 Pounds of Food

Mercer Island joined several Eastside communities last month to collect donations of more than 90,000 pounds of food for local families and individuals in need during the recent Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry, according to joint news-release.

Residents donated the food at various grocery stores in Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, Bellevue, Mercer Island and Issaquah from Sept. 24 through Oct. 22. Volunteers representing various religious and community groups — including groups from , the  and local scouting organizations — helped the effort by standing outside stores and asking shoppers to donate.

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services coordinator Cheryl Manriquez said volunteers collected 10,875 pounds of food and raised $4,622 on Mercer Island. Volunteers in Sammamish raised the most in the food drive — about 31,000 pounds. 

The food donations are redistributed to Eastside non-profit  and a number of Eastside food banks, including YFS's Food Pantry.

The campaign, also labeled "Share What You Can," will help meet a growing need for food assistance and compensate for unexpected federal cuts to food programs in King County, according to the news release.

“As other sources of support have been eroding, grassroots efforts like this—people coming together to help other people—are so vitally important," said Brian Anderson, program operations director at the Emergency Feeding Program. "This year’s response truly makes me proud to be an Eastsider.” 

For more information about the Eastside Human Services Forum and additional giving opportunities over the holiday season, visit www.eastsideforum.org.